A fitting memorial for Ted Kennedy

After years of legal battles and adamant opposition from Ted Kennedy, the Department of Interior finally gave the go ahead for an off shore wind energy farm off the coast of Cape Cod. It appears that at least some of the influence of the Kennedy clan died with the passing of “Father Ted.” (story here from Reuters)

U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar gave the green light for the historic 130-turbine, 420-megawatt Cape Wind project in Horseshoe Shoal, Nantucket Sound, in what supporters considered a huge step forward for renewable energy in the United States.

“This project fits with the tradition of sustainable development in the area,” Salazar said in Boston.

Although small in terms of its production — the facility would produce enough electricity to power 400,000 houses — its approval was encouraging to other offshore wind projects already proposed for the East Coast and Great Lakes.

Cape Wind was subject to years of environmental review and political maneuvering, including adamant opposition from the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy, whose six-acre (2.4 hectare) family compound in Hyannis Port overlooks Nantucket Sound.

A final ruling was near in 2009, but delayed again after two Wampanoag Indian tribes complained that the giant turbines would disturb spiritual sun greetings and possibly ancestral artifacts and burial grounds on the seabed.

Opponents have deemed the project an eyesore, and raised issues ranging from a detrimental effect on property values in the popular vacation area south of Boston, to possible damage to birds, whales, fishing, aviation, and historic sites.

I’ll bet these same opponents, from a very blue state, probably would be gung ho for this “green” project if it were in your backyard.